When writing about ancient Egypt, it is important to be aware of words we use that suddenly have no meaning. “I’ll be back in a minute,” for example. Or, “I’ll meet you at six o’clock.” In ancient times, no one wore a watch. They had to rely on the movement of the sun and moon. Forgive the pun, “but it took me some time” to learn how to get into the mind-set of the historical period.
While it is true that the ancient Egyptians developed a water clock, it was not until 1500 B.C.E. It was the time of the New Kingdom. For a thousand years before that, however, at the time of the First Dynasty, people still relied on the sun and its shadow to tell time. By the way, the water clock consisted of a vessel to hold water. In the side a small hole was drilled to allow water to slowly flow out. Indications made in the clay told one how much time had passed.
I have avoided giving a precise time frame in my stories. I usually say something like, “We’ll meet again when the sun is directly overhead,” or, “When the shadow of the obelisk touches the house. . .” It is hard to find words for “in a split second” when no one knew what a second was.
For later periods such as the Greek or Roman, telling time was more precise. People had become city dwellers and precision was needed for appointments etc. The Romans had hours and watches beginning at midnight as the first hour which made telling time easier. Well, by the sun outside, and the shadows on the oleanders, I must bring this blog to a close. Thank you for your visit. As the Egyptians say, “May the soles of your feet be firm.”
